Would you pass or decline the offer?
By anne25penn
@anne25penn (3305)
Philippines
December 13, 2009 2:46am CST
I've been out of work since May of this year because my mother's health wasn't too good and I had to take care of her. I don't recall applying online, but I did update my online resume recently. So I got a call for a job interview last Friday and passed the test and interview and was endorsed to the company that was currently hiring. This is how I usually get work, companies call me and like the job I had last year I had no idea what I was getting myself into until I saw the contract.
So I came in for another set of exams (which I passed) and another set of interviews (which I also passed). I am now about to start on Monday, but before people start congratulating me, I was saddened by the number of applicants who got turned down. When we started, there were about fifty of us in the lobby. At the end of the day, only four of us passed. And I could sense the disappointment from these applicants ho got turned down. I had second thoughts accepting the job offer because I am taking care of my mom who is sick with cancer. But when I saw how many were turned down and out of fifty, only four of us passed I hesitated and said yes. Now, in a similar situation, would you have accepted the job offer?
2 people like this
9 responses
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
13 Dec 09
Hello Anne
Yes I would have done as you obviously deserved the Job
It was a case of the best 4 out of 50 and it happens often, I guess they where highly impressed with everything you said and did so you deserved the Job
You could have been one of those 50 and don't think that any of the others would have given that thought
I am glad you said yes and good luck in your new Job
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
14 Dec 09
Thank you gabs. Today is my first day at work. I need all the luck I can get
.
.1 person likes this
@moneymakingtoday (4061)
• Philippines
13 Dec 09
Yes, Anne. I would accept it. I always think that opportunity knocks only once and you should grab it. In our country, you must have noticed that most companies specify an age limit for one to be accepted (which is not so in other countries as this is considered discrimination). Years ago, most companies specify that an applicant should not be older than 26 years old. I do not know what is the practice nowadays ... I have stopped applying because I am way past hiring age, hahahaha.
There are always ways to find someone who can take care of your mother. Maybe another sister or very close relative?
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
13 Dec 09
Unfortunately, most of my relatives live abroad. I did encounter this age discrimination when I tried applying at this restaurant as a manager and they informed me that I was overage at 28. I guess its because our culture views that at this age, women are or should stay at home and take care of her husband and kids. It is only recent with the influx of call center companies that women are encouraged to have careers while balancing their family life. The only careers that was viewed in high regard for women before were teachers and nurses.
@moneymakingtoday (4061)
• Philippines
13 Dec 09
I hope you can find someone to take care of your mother once you decide to work again. I know there are always ways. Call centers provide a very good opportunity for work for everyone. My daughter's friend told us that she has a co-worker in the call center who is already 55 years old. Nowhere can we find work at this age in the past years.
Women are known to be versatile in any given responsibility. I know you can do it.
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
14 Dec 09
I've worked out a system already so I hope that I won't have problems with her. She isn't bedridden or disabled, so it won't be too difficult to leave her at home. Thank you for your response.
@vicky22101984 (573)
• India
13 Dec 09
I would surely grab that offer. See, there will always be challenges before u in ever phase of life. If you decline this, you might feel bad. If accept it, u might feel bad for your mother. Its kind of dilemma to u in either case. but most probably I would hve said yes as u did. I wish your mother gets some strength and u dnt have to worry about her.
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
14 Dec 09
The offer is too good to pass, and I keep asking my mom (kind of psyching her) if she will be okay left alone in the house. She has assured me that she will be okay. Thank you for your response.
@clorissa123 (4926)
• United States
13 Dec 09
Oh yeah, definitely accepted. If you are that lucky, you should accept the offer. You have no idea how hard to get a job right now, and now you are accepted, you should take it as granted. You might need to allot your time efficiently between your work and your mom then. That is the only way. In addition, you need money to take care of your mom too right?
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
14 Dec 09
I just wanted to know if I can still pass exams and interviews at first. My self-esteem is that low after taking care of my mom and losing my last job, and in effect my house. But when I saw other applicants being turned down and their disappointment, I just had to accept the offer. Thank you for your response.
@lelin1123 (15594)
• Puerto Rico
13 Dec 09
Yes for sure I would have accepted the job. Jobs are hard to come by nowadays. I have worked for 32 years and now find myself without a job a year in a half and its so scary. You did the right thing. Congratulations! I hope your mom is doing better. Good luck to you both.
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
13 Dec 09
Yes, she is doing better now. I also found myself bored doing nothing because I have been working since I was 17. Thank you for your response!
@clorissa123 (4926)
• United States
13 Dec 09
I meant yeah, you shouldn't turn down a job like that. You are one of the lucky one out of 50 right? You should take this offer, and allot your time to take care your mom. Your mom might want to do something instead of being idle like that. Congratulation!
@sunnycool (12714)
• India
13 Dec 09
Ofcourse with no hesitation i would have accepted it coz only talented ones would reach the final stage of interview and in these days of recession being a job holder is very important and i would go for it rather than sitting idle in house which doesnt pays of well.And you have a ill mother so you have taken the correct step coz this money might be helpful for your mothers expenses.gud day.
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
14 Dec 09
Thank you for you response. My brothers are taking care of my mom's medical bills, but it doesn't include me 
. So it was quite hard trying to get used to having no money after being independent for quite some time, so when I was called for the job interview and was offered the job, I gladly accepted.
. So it was quite hard trying to get used to having no money after being independent for quite some time, so when I was called for the job interview and was offered the job, I gladly accepted.
@chriszh22 (432)
• China
13 Dec 09
Hi anne25penn, I think in your situation, you can just regardless the furious competion of the position, cause you've already have the ability to pass those interviews and exams, if you wanna find a job in a later date, you might still get the job fianlly. I think you should consider about caring your mother in the first place, you can work for all your life, but your mother needs you more. Another alternative is that you can find a nurse to take care of your mother, while you can still have the job. Good luck to you
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
13 Dec 09
I have sounded off to my relatives if they can find a trustworthy helper who can be with her while I am at work. Thank you for your response!
@dependent (131)
• China
13 Dec 09
u should decline.mom is the only one,while jobs have many chances to get
from what u describe , u r competent,aggressive dutiful hardworking person.
u deserve a decent job ,a nice family
compared 2 bias ,u should hold the view unconditional love is the most powerful weapon
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
14 Dec 09
Thank you for your response. I had two jobs that I had to let go when my mom was first diagnosed thinking that she should be my priority. But as months passed and I saw my life like going to waste, I became restless. Its nice that I got a job in these uncertain times.
